Tootsie (1982)

Tootsie (1982)


Tootsie is a gem of a movie and is way better than I completely thought it would be. This film is more than just Dustin Hoffman dressing up in drag. It is a story that has many things to say. Even more ironic is the movie speaks positively towards the side of feminism-something you would not expect a movie about cross-dressing to do. Like many comedies of the 1980’s, we get a story that goes from Point A to Point B. This is not a comedy that provides belly-roll laughing, but it is a thought-provoking story that will make you think while making you laugh. When a comedy film is able to effectively tell a story without sacrificing the laughs, then the filmmakers have succeeded into making comedy gold! This movie harkens back to the golden age of Hollywood-where comedies would be absurd but would also be dramatic and a little tender. That is the main reason why I was able to smile so hard after the completion of this movie.



Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a 40-ish actor from New York who is having a hard time finding employment. According to his agent, George (Sydney Pollack), he has a reputation so bad that no one wants to work with him. Great actor, but not the best people person. He lives with his roommate Jeff (Bill Murray). He is also a man who doesn’t treat women very respectfully, especially his good friend Sandy (Teri Garr.) One day, he comes up with an idea to find himself a job. After Sandy was unable to grab the role of Emily Kimberly-a tough-as-nails administrator on some famous soap opera, Michael assumes the role of Dorothy Michaels. Michael, as Dorothy, auditions and wins the role after a lovely tirade. The only people who knows of Michael’s cross-dressing are Jeff and George. Things will get very complicated for Michael. The director of the soap opera, Ron (Dabney Coleman) is a sexist pig. He becomes friends with and falls in love with Julie (Jessica Lange), who plays a nurse on the show. He cannot tell her that he is actually a man. Finally, two older men falls in love with him; Julie’s father Les (Charles Durning), and the main actor of the show, John Van Horn (George Gaynes). With all of these complications, how will Michael be able to keep his disguise as Dorothy intact?



The direction and the performances are tremendous. One of the reasons why this movie is less gimmicky than one would expect is because Sydney Pollack was behind the camera. The director was originally doing to be Hal Ashby, but post-production on another film kept him away from this movie thus opening the door for Pollack. Pollack was able to take influences from the older films and create an old-fashioned comedy that is both hilarious and thoughtful. He was also able to get the best out of his actors.



Dustin Hoffman said his role reminded himself of what he used to be like as an actor when he first arrived in Hollywood. Hoffman came to fame with movies like The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy. He may have been a little arrogant, a little know-it-all, and someone who may have been difficult to work with. Because he sees himself, he was able to deliver an incredible performance. Jessica Lange is likewise very good. You know, I keep forgetting Bill Murray is in the movie. He was very funny here as Michael’s roommate, but he was overshadowed by the likes of Hoffman and Lange. Murray should also be in every movie I might add, because he has such a soothing, commanding presence.


I had lots of fun watching Tootsie. Nominated for ten Oscars and Jessica Lange taking home the trophy for Best Actress, this is one of the best films of 1982. Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange lead a barrage of excellent performances. I do mind Dave Grusin’s music to be quite…. interesting. Although a bit cheerful, the music is cheesy at times-perhaps a bit too cheesy. The movie is a light-hearted romp, but it does make some keen observations about sexism and gender identities, especially within the movie/television industry. These observations are just a few examples why people in today’s climate should view the movie. Perhaps that is why we can currently see an adaptation of Tootsie on Broadway. If you want a funny movie that does not sacrifice jokes at the expense of its plot, here ya go!



My Grade: A

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